State Begins Prosecuting Man for Standing Within 25 Feet of GPD Officer After Warning
Thursday afternoon, the State Attorney’s Office of the Eighth Judicial Circuit formally filed misdemeanor charges of resisting an officer without violence and interfering with a first responder on duty against Rahim Henderson, 49.
Interfering with a first responder on duty, otherwise known as Florida Statute 843.31, is a law that went into affect at the beginning of this year which prevents individuals from standing within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer if they are given a warning. The law makes it a misdemeanor to ignore the warning if one intends to “(1) Impede or interfere with the first responder’s ability to perform such duty; (2) Threaten the first responder with physical harm; or (3) Harass the first responder.”
According to the law, causing a first responder “substantial emotional distress” that serves “no legitimate purpose” qualifies as harassment.
Assistant State Attorney Sean Zeitlin filed information stating, “Rahim Arthur Henderson, in Alachua County, Florida, on or about November 5, 2025, did, after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person he knew or reasonably should have known is a first responder, who was engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to wit: conducting an investigation, knowingly and willfully violated such warning and approached or remained within 25 feet of Officer Justin Snitselaar with the intent to impede or interfere with [their] ability to perform such duty.”
According to arrest reports, Snitselaar arrested Henderson around 1:30 am, along with Gwennesha Demps, 49, under the same charges. Prosecutors have yet to formally file charges against Demps.
Referring to himself as “LEO” throughout the report, Snitselaar reported the following:
"LEO, who was in uniform with GPD insignia and Police patches, was actively engaged in an investigation that [Henderson and Demps] were not involved in, in relation to a vehicle that neither of them were occupants. [Henderson and Demps] approached LEO from behind while they were conducting their investigation, and began to hinder LEO from conducting said investigation.
[Henderson and Demps] approached LEO, and were given lawful commands to step back, while at the same time [Henderson] was given physical direction to do so, in the form of hand on his chest. [Henderson and Demps] were then given a lawful command to step back multiple times, all of which they ignored. [Henderson and Demps] were then informed that they had to move back a minimum of 25 feet, and given a lawful command to do so. They ignored this command as well. During this time, [Henderson] was repeatedly yelling at LEO, and making demands, which continually pulled LEO's attention away from an active investigation.
[Henderson and Demps] were then warned that if they continued to ignore lawful commands to back up at least 25 feet, they would be arrested. [Henderson] continued to ignore LEO and stepped toward another Law Enforcement officer who was actively engaged with a detained subject with the vehicle. His approach diverted that officer's attention, all while he continued to make demands. [Demps or Henderson] simultaneously pulled out a phone and stepped closer. LEO then attempted to detain [Henderson and Demps].
While attempting to detain [Henderson], he ignored all lawful commands, and forced both of his hands into his jean pockets, hindering LEO from maneuvering him into handcuffing position. [Henderson] tensed his arms, and locked them straight down into his pockets. LEO eventually overcame his resistance, and handcuffed him. Upon attempting to search [Henderson], he began to again tense his arms at the rear of his waistband, and not allow LEO to search his waist band. [Henderson] was given multiple lawful commands to move his arms, to which he replied LEO had searched him enough. This raised concerns that [Henderson] may be attempting to conceal a weapon or contraband in his waistband. LEO attempted to physically direct his arms up and out of the way, at which time [Henderson] began pushing back into LEO and attempting to stand up straight. [Henderson] then turned and attempted to pull away, at which time he was escorted to the ground. After being escorted to the ground, multiple Law Enforcement officers had to hold [Henderson] down to be searched prior to transport.
While attempting to detain [Demps], she began tensing her arms and thrashing her upper body to hinder LEO`s attempts to handcuff her. She then began to pull her arms under her body once on the ground. After being detained, she refused to exit the vehicle to be searched prior to transport. She then began kicking the marked patrol vehicle doors, and eventually had to be detained in a rip-hobble to mitigate damages to the vehicle.”
Demps was released from the Alachua County Jail after posting a $10,000 bond. Henderson remains incarcerated under a $15,000 bond.
The Public Defender’s Office has submitted a motion to reduce Henderson’s bond to be heard by Judge Susan Miller-Jones on Monday.
Editor's Notes: Snitselaar reported that the co-defendant pulled out a phone and stepped closer in both arrest reports, making it unclear if he was referring to Demps or Henderson.
